Latest Stats

We went to the doctor yesterday for Collier's two month check up. We've been very curious over the past several weeks how much he weighs. We were expecting him to be around 10lb...that was my guess any way. Here are his stats:

Weight: 13LB - 75th percentile
Height: 22.5" - 50th percentile
Head: 15.5" - 50th percentile

We were very pleased with all of this and honestly SHOCKED at his fabulous weight gain! My little chunky monkey. We also changed his acid reflux medication. He spits up so much and this week we had two major things: First on Sunday he was in his swing and I think that he spit up 2 days worth of milk...it covered him completely and even puddled in the bottom of the swing. Then on Monday morning he started chocking and was arching his back and throwing his head backwards, when I picked him up spit up went everywhere and then he screamed really loud. It scared me and I am sure that it scared him. I really do hope and pray that this new medicine works better for him. Even with all of the spit up, he is still getting plenty of food and gaining weight.

Shots...yuck. He got four of them and he did ok for the first three and then the last one (which was muscular) he screamed so loud and wasn't happy about that one at all. He was sort of fussy through this morning and has been better this afternoon. Poor little man,I think that he was just not feeling like himself. Those bad ole shots. He has been great this afternoon and tonight.

Week in Pictures

Happy 60th!

We celebrated a big 60th birthday with my FIL this weekend at lake Eufaula. To Collier he is known at Papoo and one day Collier will get to join the guys in their fishing adventure, but this trip he had to stay with the girls inside since it was so hot. Next trip we will certainly be on the boat with the guys. Maybe we would have brought them better luck since they didn’t catch much of anything. It was a relaxing and fun weekend. Happy Birthday Papoo!

It has been great this week having my MIL in town to help since Justin is out of town. We’re looking forward to a long July 4th weekend. I’ll catch up with everyone next week.

Oh before I leave you I have to share a funny work story. For those of you who don’t know…I work for a technology company and with that I am the ONLY female…So the guys that I work with are all really great but are all very techy for the most part. These guys are some of the smartest people that I know and especially when it comes to computers, technology and networking they know it all! And then there is me… not so techy and very mommy at this point. I am of course pumping through the day and I try to be very respectful that they don’t want to see pumping pieces and breast milk all through the office, so I put the milk containers in a soft cooler in the refrigerator. Well. One of the guys came into my office this week and shared the following:

Tech: I finally discovered something this week
Me: oh yeah what (me thinking like I’m going to understand what you are about to say – he always talks way above my head)
Tech: for the past couple of days I thought that someone was putting their notebook in the refrigerator
Side note: when he says notebook he means laptop
Me: oh yeah with a BIG smile on my face
Tech: I thought that it was strange that someone would put their notebook in the frig but thought, ya know if that is what works for them ok. Strange, but ok
Me:yes, a laptop in the frig would be very strange
Tech: I finally realized today that it was your cooler for storage!!!
Me: laughing very hard.

Goes to show the mindset. I just thought that it was so funny…that he thought someone was actually putting their laptop in the frig. My cooler is black and does resemble a tiny laptop bag. Ha!


Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

This week

Collier is 8 weeks today and I can hardly believe it! He brings more love and joy to my heart each and every day. I just adore this little man!

This week I started back to work. It has been ok, hard BUT ok. I really wanted to go back July 6th, but they wanted me back earlier. Plus, I'm starting a new job (same company new role) that I am a little unsure of. I know that it will work out, but still not quite sure about the transition. One already good part is that with the new role I was moved into an office, which gives me privacy and that makes life a little easier since I'm pumping through out the day. All that to say that I am quite tired but we are working hard to get into a routine and back to normal life....No more fun vacation time with my men!

Mom has been great and has brought Collier to me at work for the past two days so that I could nurse him. Today I went home for lunch to feed him. I have been a little concerned that once he started taking the bottle during the day that he would rather that than me....that would make me very sad. so he has only gotten two bottle each day and then I've nursed all the other times. So far so good...but I would appreciate your prayers on this as well. I really do want to nurse him as long as possible and would rather not get into formula, but I'm trusting that God already has a plan and know exactly how all of this will turn out. **I don't have anything against formula, I don't want to offend anyone...It is just important to me that he is getting all of the good stuff from me, plus the money savings is huge too. My cousin nursed all of her kids and I just thought that it was so sweet and have always wanted to do that!

I'm excited about the weekend for sure. I hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend too.

Because he deserves it

Even though this post is a few days late my sweet husband deserves the recognition as we celebrated his first Father’s Day. Dad’s are really special and I am thankful for the blessing that we received in Collier. Justin is such a great dad and is so sweet with Collier. He is very helpful and willing to take Collier and even changes a ton of diapers throughout the day. When he is talking to Collier he gets in Collier’s face (really close) and I just love to see them nose to nose talking! Collier loves to be on Justin’s shoulder. Collier can be fussy and I can’t seem to settle him – Justin will put him on his shoulder and Collier will relax and usually go right to sleep…Daddy’s special touch seems to be just what he needs. I know that the two of them will have a many fun years ahead as they grow and bond together. Collier is lucky to have the love of such a wonderful Dad. I think that a part of my love of being a mom is to have the support of such a loving and helpful husband. My heart fills with joy to see Justin interact with Collier.

Justin and my Dad played an early round of golf on Sunday and then they watched the US Open in the afternoon. Mom and I cooked shrimp, flank steak, pesto potatoes, grilled squash and zucchini and a chocolate ice cream pie to top off our delicious dinner to honor our guys!

I have a lot to be thankful for in my dad as well. He is a constant help and support. He is willing to do anything for us (Chris and I and our families) and he believes that family comes first. I am thankful that he is a strong example of a Godly man and I am thankful that he is my Dad! Not to mention he loves his grandson. He gets so excited each time that he sees him and gets to hold him. It is really so sweet.

Catch up

We've been somewhat busy over the past week. We started out with a weekend in Dothan to celebrate Ashlyn's 2nd Birthday! It was so much fun at her birthday party - she had slip n slides and pools - the kids had a blast. She couldn't have been more happy, that girl loves the water! We spent some time with Justin's Dad and Cher and it was really great to have some extra time with them.

From there we headed to the lake for a few nights before Mom and I headed to Jacksonville. We went down to visit and see family and for Collier to get to meet all of our fun and crazy family (grandfather, aunts, uncles and lots and lots of cousin's). Both my mom and dad grew up in Jacksonville so we have so much family there - we love them and wish that we lived closer so that we could see them more often. But we did enjoy our visit and time. We headed back to the lake on Wednesday. Justin and I stayed at the lake from Wednesday through the weekend and had some friends come down for the weekend. Wow, it was amazing to have that time to relax at the lake and being back in Bham I am missing the lake greatly.

Now that I am back home, trying to get the house back in order, laundry, unpack and get Collier on somewhat of a schedule. I am sad to say that I have to go back to work next week. I had hoped to be out for another two weeks but the boss called and decided that I needed to come back sooner rather than later. I am very sad...matter of fact I cried after I met with him and he told me that. I am very thankful that Mom is going to be keeping Collier that will make life at work a little easier, but it is still not the same as being with him all day. I will miss him while I'm at work. I love this little man so much and I love being with him and holding and loving him day in and day out! I will appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this return to work. He still isn't sleeping all the way the way through the night - waking every 4 hours. I would appreciate your prayers on this as well. I will also take advice and thoughts too - I know that most of you are experienced mom's!!!

Little man is changing so much. He is getting bigger and bigger by the minute. its funny because he has lost most of the hair on top/front of his head but still has long and thick hair in the back. You would think that he is sleeping on his head (I promise that he isn't though). He looks an old man! I love to look at him and just watch him sleep. His expressions and coo's are way to cute for words! He loves to get in the bath tub and just relax. If he is cranky at night I will put him in the tub and he will just relax and lay there so content. But then he screams as I lather him with lotion. I just can't get enough of him.

Lake

We spent the last week at the lake. It was so wonderful and restful. Although it rained for the first 5 days - that didn't stop Ashlyn from playing in it and making the most of the rain. But we finally saw the happy sunshine peak its head through the clouds. We spent time with my brother, SIL and niece and we even got to visit with Justin's grandparents for them to meet Collier for the first time. It was great to spend time down there and relax. Not to mention my mom was a savior. She was so helpful with letting me sleep and taking Collier in the early morning hours after he had eaten. Which takes me back to my previous post about how wonderful parents are. Its amazing how fabulous sleep it! Here are a few pictures from the week.

Great Help

I have been blessed with great in-laws, I think that I've mentioned this before and if I haven't I should have. Last week my MIL came to stay with us a few nights - Justin was out of town one night so she came to be with me so that I wasn't alone for the night...HA who am I fooling, she came to be with Collier! Wow what big help she was. She not only stayed up with Collier at night when he chose to be wide awake at 1am but she helped me around the house a ton. I have to especially share the hard work that she and my mom put into our yard. Our front bushes had almost over taken the front of our house plus weeds had covered my front flower bed. The two of them jumped in and trimmed the bushes and weeded and planted my planter. It now looks so great and welcoming.

It was great to have extra helping hands, especially from a loving Grandmother who loves Collier so much. Collier certainly enjoyed his time with his Mela and I was so thankful to have that time with her and to have her help. Thanks Mela so much for being there for us!

One thing that I had never really thought much about when having children is the reaction of your parents and grandparents. You know that they all love you (as their child and grandchild) so much, but to see how they glow and to see their excitement and joy when they hold your child is so neat. I watch them all hold Collier and the love that flows from them is sweet and satisfying to a mother's soul. They are all so giddy over this child, it is such a sweet sight. I am thankful that Justin and I have such wonderful, loving, supportive and involved parents!

Growing Boy

Collier was 2 weeks as of yesterday and he is growing fast! I think that he has already changed quite a bit. We went to the doctor today and we are now weighing in at 7LB 8oz! I was very pleased and excited to hear how much he has gained. I actually went on Monday and weighed him and he was 6LB 15oz...so in a matter of 5 days he has really exceeded my expectations. I can really tell though that he is putting on the pounds as he has developed a double chin and is starting to thicken up a little in his legs and arms. He was so skinny, but we are certainly doing our best to change that and so far we have had success. According to the doctor everything is absolutely perfect - of course we already knew that but confirmation was great to hear. We go back in 6 weeks for a million (5) shots.

I love this little man more than I could ever imagine and he is such a joy to have and to hold in my arms. He is such a gift and I am thankful for him. He currently has his days and nights backwards - oops. So, our nights are awfully long. Justin has been a HUGE help in getting up and letting me get sleep after I nurse him and he seems to want to be awake in the wee hours of the morning. We are both tired but are hanging in there. We do hope to catch up on some sleep over the weekend. I am grateful to have such a sweet husband who has really been so much help and support - I love to see Justin holding and loving on Collier it really is a sweet site.

Friends are so great. I am thankful for all of our friends who have been so gracious and generous to bring us dinners and to stop by and visit with us. It is truly a blessing to be surrounded by so much love and support. I haven't had to think about dinner since I've been home and this is such a huge help! Not to mention all of the ladies that I've called asking various questions and seeking advise. We really have the greatest friends ever and I don't know what I would do with out everyone. Off to sneak in a quick nap before our sweet guest arrive to bring dinner!

I got this as an email and it seemed to be appropriate since I am NEWLY a mom and in honor of Mother's Day this weekend. I'm sure that many of you have already received it via email...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.!
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .